Trust me, this is relevant far beyond Larimer County. Not only is this handsome and very reasonably priced book full of good information, it reveals the culture of a city that cares about trees: how many cities can say that?
I think you will be as surprised as I was to see such a diversity of trees represented in the volume--over 200 kinds. The author (Renée Galeano-Popp) sticks to species, which I find refreshing: so many budded trrees and cultivars and more and more hybrids are starting to fill our streets, I'm glad she stuck to the real thing instead of test tube clones and clowns.
As the press release (which I shall reprint at the end of my blog) says there are over 400 pictures: which I didn't count, but I don't doubt, since most every tree has a closeup of foliage and often the bark. There are concise bullet points on the nomenclature, the often a bit of ethnobotany or history and some verbal delineations on how each taxon can be distinguished from closely related taxa.
The pictures are crisp and clear and the text is lucid and interesting. Of course, there are scads of tree books out there, but this one seems to me to have special value for the useful identifications and especially because Renée has made an effort at completeness: J don't think many Fort Collins tree taxa slipped through her net.
I've had the privilege of touring Fort Collins to look at trees with both Scott Skogerboe and Tim Buchanan--these two and Dr. James Klett at C.S.U. are responsible for much of the surprising diversity of trees covered by the book. I thought I'd seen most all of Fort Collins' rarities: I was wrong. Just take oaks for an example--Tim had shown me the enormous Sequiodendrons, and Scott toured me through the cemetery, where I admired the giant larch...but somehow I missed the Chisos red (Graves), the Faber's, the Gray, the Hungarian, the Korean, the Manchurian, the Mohr, the Mongolian, the Persian, Post, Sawtooth, Valley and Water Oaks. I DID, however, see the Escarpment Live Oaks (Quercus fusiformis) that Tim has planted here and there around the Fort--which Renée inexplicably overlooked (the only omission I found thus far).
There were likewise a number of conifers I didn't know grew in Colorado, and rare nuggets throughout: who knew there was a Deodar Cedar in Fort Collins? Or Mongolian Linden?
For a tree hugger like me, it's all about these unusual trees (most of which are on public property, and Renée indicates where they are so you can look them up).
The real subtext of the book is that there is a remarkable community of extraordinary people who've planted these trees: you would perhaps expect this in a town with a Land Grant University--but this richness is thanks to a dynamic and ambitious City Forestry program (epitomized by recently retired Tim Buchanan) who have planted large numbers of unusual trees (few of the trees in the book are singletons), and especially to Fort Collins Nursery Wholesale, where Past owner Gary Epstein and the long time and still current propagator, Scott Skogerboe have worked with CSU and Plant Select to propagate and distribute no end of fantastic woody plants.
Renée generously acknowledges Dr. James Klett--who's taught several generations of students woody plants and created an arboretum on the CSU campus where many of the rarest trees reside. Dr. Klett is threatening to truly retire: CSU would need to hire a half dozen professors to truly replace him.
I know of no other city in the Rocky Mountain Region that has achieved so much with trees--in a climate that seems determined to have grassland in our gardens instead.
Those in Fort Collins should contact Renée directly (see below). Outside that city, I suggest purchasing your book through the Colorado Native Plant Society bookstore. which you can find discounted at this website
I think you will find it very useful!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Renée Galeano-Popp
Livermore, Colorado
970.472.5423
TreesOfFortCollins.FieldGuide@gmail.com
Discover Fort Collins’ tree treasures (while social distancing) with this new urban tree guide
Fort Collins CO. April 14, 2020 Renée Galeano-Popp’s new book, Trees of Fort Collins – A Field Guide, has come out just in time to celebrate Arbor Day (Friday, April 24). What a perfect time to get outdoors, visit some of the city’s community parks and Colorado State University campus, and discover the beauty and diversity of trees that Fort Collins has to offer.
This new urban field guide includes descriptions and photographs of over 200 species that can be viewed at the CSU Heritage Arboretum (just west of the Canvas Stadium), City Park, and the streets and parks of town. (Many trees can also be viewed at the Gardens on Spring Creek once it reopens.) Shade and evergreen trees are both included, and each species is illustrated with photos of leaves, bark, fruit, and/or flowers. Listed and indexed by both common and botanic names, the nativity (where it’s native), a physical description, horticultural tips, and special notes are included in each entry, along with the general locations they can be found within the city.
Here’s what others are saying about Trees of Fort Collins:
As new pests and diseases attack our city trees, we’re fortunate that our regional urban foresters have embraced “Tree Diversity”—and Renée Galeano-Popp appears to have written our guidebook! Page after page of this book contains not just the tried and true, but dozens of taxa which have flourished in Fort Collins but are otherwise unknown along the Front Range. The photography is excellent, and the production value of this book is first rate…The book is a great tribute to the horticulture scene in Fort Collins—especially Tim Buchanan (former City Forester) who practically turned Fort Collins into one giant arboretum. Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery and Colorado State’s arboretum have also been key to so many species and the excitement of this outstanding book. Anyone who loves trees (and who doesn’t?) needs this book. I plan to buy several to share with my tree nerd friends. Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator and Director of Outreach, Denver Botanic Gardens
As a professional botanist, I have lots of books and keys on plants but none of them are specifically focused on the trees of Fort Collins and no guides have both the native and horticultural species together…This book is user-friendly and good for all ages. What a great activity for families. It makes being outside even more fun. Pam Smith, Botanist, Colorado Natural Heritage Program
Sometimes a book comes along that under normal circumstances we would truly appreciate. But when a new book launches at a time when we have had so many activities canceled due to an unprecedented pandemic, a good book takes on a whole new meaning… Here in Fort Collins Spring has sprung and trees in our locality are about to strut their stuff. It’s the perfect time to pick up the new field guide to trees all around Fort Collins by local retired botanist and forest ecologist, Renée Galeano-Popp. Blaine Howerton, North Forty News
Trees of Fort Collins can be purchased directly from the author by email or phone, through the Colorado Native Plant Society website (https://bit.ly/2KhL0vb, or conps.org) or pick-up at Larimer County Forestry, 2649 E. Mulberry, Suite 6, Fort Collins. 970-498-5765
$25, softcover, 266 pages, full color with over 400 photographs. Re-sellers’ rates may also be available.
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Thank you Panayoti! I missed that glorious oak because I didn't know about it. So now the tables are turned and it is I who needs to do some tree hunting! --Renee
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